The Saints are Marching On

My good friend and dear brother in the Lord, John Roberts, gave me a brief report about his recent mission trip to Caborca, Mexico.

John and the rest of the team from his church (East Valley Bible Church) were gone from January 6-13. They prepared for this trip for many months: studying the culture, brushing up on Spanish, and preparing for the work of the gospel. They arrived safely in Mexico, and met up with a local church they would be working with.

They primarily shared the gospel by distributing tapes with the gospel message for the many different dialects spoken in the area. From what I have heard so far, they were able to give out many copies of these tapes. Overall, the people were accepting and open towards the gospel.

John’s team also used Jesus films for local crowds as an introduction to the message of the gospel. One night, the response was overwhelming! 30-40 professed faith in Christ. My prayer is that these professing Christians get plugged into a solid church and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord.

Tonight at Bucks, as I was skimming around Acts (studying a particular issue that I will undoubtedly blog about later *grin*), I ran across this passage talking about Paul and Barnabas:

“27 When they had arrived and gathered the church together, they began to report all things that God had done with them and how He had opened a door of faith to the Gentiles. 28 And they spent a long time with the disciples.” (Acts 14:27-28).

The Apostles, Paul and Barnabas, met with the church at Antioch and reported the things that God had done by way of providing opportunities to preach the gospel to the Gentiles. I love verse 28: “And they spent a long time with the disciples.” Isn’t that an interesting thing to write? How encouraging this time must have been for those in Antioch! After all, Paul was returning to Antioch after converting many in that city to the faith. The “disciples” that Paul and Barnabas met with were undoubtedly filled with joy at hearing the report! Notice how Paul writes of himself to the Galatians:

“21 Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; 23 but only, they kept hearing, "He who once persecuted us is now preaching the faith which he once tried to destroy." 24 And they were glorifying God because of me.” (Galatians 1:21-24).

Just as in Syria and Cilicia, the church in Antioch praised God because of the works God was accomplishing through Paul.

In the same way, the saints in Gilbert, AZ praise God because of the works done through John and others at EVBC. I am greatly encouraged at John’s (and others’) report. I’m excited that God’s kingdom continues to grow and expand. All who were appointed unto eternal life, believed their message.

Might we be strengthened in Christ because of this report and be found boldly preaching the gospel, as we ought. And may each of us be able to say with Paul that we serve God in our spirit in the preaching of the gospel of His Son (Romans 1:9).

In the Saving Faith of the Lord Jesus Christ,
Casey